The Rest of the Story

Psalm 22:19-31 Almost everyone in the United States is familiar with the famous sign-off of the commentator Paul Harvey as he finishes his news report. He says, “Now you know the rest of the story.” In yesterday’s reading we left the account of Jesus on the cross with the soldiers parting His garments. Today’s reading tells the rest of the story and also shares how this wondrous story will be told to the whole world.

Although Jesus for a moment in time experienced separation from the Father because of our sin, we see in the remainder of this psalm the glorious restoration and redemption story. When Jesus turned unto the Father and cried out, God heard His cry, and even though the Father had to turn away for a moment, He did not forsake Jesus forever. We know the grave could not hold Jesus and that Satan and death were defeated when Jesus died and later was resurrected. Now the whole earth will remember and one day turn and acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord. This psalm tells us that all the kindred of the nations shall worship before Him. His kingdom will come on earth, and all those who believe will rule and reign with Him.

Paul unveils his great burden in the Book of Romans for his Jewish brethren. He earnestly desires that they all be saved. He makes the bold statement in Romans 10:13 that all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. When Jesus sets His feet on the Mount of Olives, the mountain will split in half and the Jews who remain in Israel will look upon the one they pierced. The veil over their eyes will be dropped even as the veil over the eyes of Joseph’s brothers was dropped when he revealed himself to them. On that day the Jewish remnant will look at Jesus’ hands and feet, and they will see the nail prints. They will mourn as families for days. Until this day occurs we have a great responsibility to God’s chosen people. They may not be there on that day, so today is their day of salvation. They need to know the whole gospel story, and it is recorded right here in one of their psalms. The psalm concludes, “A posterity shall serve Him. It will be recounted of the Lord to the next generation. They will come and will declare His righteousness to a people who will be born, that He has done this.”

I love to tell others the rest of the story. Pray for opportunities today to share these glad tidings with others.

READ: 2 Chronicles 24:1-25:28; Romans 12:1-21; Psalm 22:19-31; Proverbs 20:8-10